Ana Gonzalez Honored with 2025 HCSB Latinícima® – Rumbo a La Cima Award for Transformative Community Impact

Hispanic Small Business Coalition honors Inland Empire leader shaping policy and progress for working families and small businesses.

Rialto, CA — The Hispanic Small Business Coalition (HSBC) has honored Ana Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ), as a recipient of the 2025 HCSB Latinícima® Award for Green Energy and Sustainability for her outstanding leadership in advancing environmental justice, small business empowerment, and equitable community development across the Inland Empire.

The awards ceremony, which was held October 11, 2025, at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Ontario Airport, celebrated Latino leaders driving innovation, advocacy, and opportunity throughout Southern California. The HCSB Latinícima® - Rumbo a La Cima Award recognizes women who have excelled in their respective industries, and who are extending a hand to bring others along with them on their journeys to the top, the pinnacle (“cima”) of their industries – Rumbo a La Cima.

“Ana Gonzalez has made environmental justice a community issue, not just a policy discussion,”said HCSB Chairman Frank Montes. “As a leader in the Hispanic/Latino communities, Ana’s work through CCAEJ has empowered small business owners to access resources, navigate regulations, and benefit from cleaner, healthier neighborhoods. Her advocacy has helped entrepreneurs participate in policy discussions, secure funding for green infrastructure, and thrive in industries impacted by environmental change. Ana’s dedication continues to uplift families, small businesses, and entire communities, building a stronger, more equitable future for all,” said Montes.

Under Gonzalez’s leadership, CCAEJ has become one of the Inland Empire’s most impactful community-based organizations—mobilizing residents, small businesses, and youth to combat air and water pollution, strengthen neighborhood health, and influence policy at every level of government. CCAEJ’s partnerships with cities, schools, and state agencies have helped secure cleaner air standards, expand funding for green infrastructure, and promote resilience for local entrepreneurs.

“CCAEJ’s work is rooted in the belief that everyone—regardless of income or ZIP code—deserves clean air, safe water, and the opportunity to thrive,” said Ana Gonzalez. “This recognition is really about the power of community—when we unite, we build healthier, stronger neighborhoods for generations to come.”

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and a Rialto resident for 29 years, Gonzalez is a proud mother of two, a small business owner, and lifelong community advocate. She serves on several regional and state committees, including the South Coast AQMD Environmental Justice Advisory Group, California Transportation Commission’s Interagency Equity Advisory Committee.

A second-generation college graduate, Gonzalez holds degrees from San Bernardino Valley College and Cal State San Bernardino. Her leadership has earned multiple honors, including the 2025 California Woman of the Year Award from Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes.

For more information, visit www.hcsb-ca.org.

About the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ)

Founded more than 45 years ago, the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) is one of the Inland Empire’s leading grassroots organizations dedicated to advancing environmental justice and community empowerment. CCAEJ works to secure clean air and water, improve public health, and promote sustainable land-use practices through organizing, policy advocacy, and leadership development. The organization partners with residents, small businesses, and local governments to ensure that all communities — especially those most impacted by industrial pollution — have a voice in shaping a healthier, more equitable future. To learn more, visit: www.ccaej.org

About the Hispanic Coalition for Small Businesses (HCSB)

The Hispanic Coalition for Small Businesses (HCSB) is a regional organization committed to supporting Latino entrepreneurs through education, advocacy, and recognition. HCSB works to strengthen small business ecosystems by connecting owners to resources, partnerships, and opportunities for growth. Each year, HCSB hosts the HCSB Latinícima® - Rumbo a La Cima Awards, honoring exceptional leaders who uplift Hispanic/Latino businesses and drive inclusive economic development across Southern California. To learn more, visit: www.hcsb-us.org

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